critical junctures

USAGE SUMMARY

'critical junctures' is correct and can be used in written English.
Critical junctures usually refer to points in time or a situation where a decision needs to be made or certain steps need to be taken. For example: At this critical juncture, we must decide whether to take the company public or to remain private.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

At critical junctures, they were rescued by sympathetic white people.

The New York Times - Books

That's dangerous because they stand at critical junctures.

The New York Times

At critical junctures of her life, Hillary makes the same mistake.

The New York Times

At several critical junctures the academy had to bow to the next programs in vogue.

The New York Times

At critical junctures of Mr. Obama's career, the subject of nuclear disarmament has kept reappearing.

The New York Times

Its weakness lies in its failure to explain why, at critical junctures, we disown that knowledge.

The New York Times - Books

Another is taking advantage of "critical junctures", aka fundraising windows of opportunity.

The Guardian

If the superdelegates were created to solve deadlocks and other party problems, then you can't nullify them at critical junctures.

The New York Times

At critical junctures throughout the crisis, Mrs. Merkel has resisted appeals to appease the financial markets by lowering borrowing costs.

The New York Times

Still, in today's game, every defense has to count on its linebackers to cover at critical junctures.

The New York Times

He helped calm ethnic tensions at several critical junctures in the last six years, including during widespread rioting in March 2004 when 19 people were killed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "critical junctures" to emphasize moments of significant decision or change, particularly when discussing processes, histories, or strategic developments.

Common error

While "critical junctures" is a valid phrase, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "important moments" or "key points" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critical junctures" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition (e.g., 'at critical junctures') or as a subject complement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "critical junctures" effectively pinpoints key moments of decision and change. According to Ludwig, its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance across diverse sources like The New York Times and academic journals solidify its validity in formal writing. While suitable for many contexts, be mindful of overuse in casual settings. Alternatives such as "pivotal moments" or "key turning points" can offer nuanced alternatives. As Ludwig AI confirms, understanding the purpose and appropriate register will ensure confident and precise usage of "critical junctures".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pivotal moments

Focuses on the importance of the moment as a turning point.

key turning points

Emphasizes the idea of a change in direction.

decisive moments

Highlights the quality of requiring or providing a clear decision.

crucial instances

Stresses the importance and potential impact of the occurrences.

significant crossroads

Emphasizes the idea of choices and diverging paths.

important milestones

Highlights the progress and achievements made at specific points.

strategic inflection points

Focuses on moments where a shift in strategy is required.

watershed events

Suggests an event that marks a significant change.

defining episodes

Emphasizes the role of events in shaping something.

critical phases

Highlights the temporal aspect and significance of stages.

FAQs

How can I use "critical junctures" in a sentence?

You can use "critical junctures" to describe key moments in a process or situation where important decisions must be made. For example, "At several "critical junctures", the academy had to bow to the next programs in vogue."

What phrases are similar to "critical junctures"?

Alternatives include "pivotal moments", "key turning points", or "decisive moments", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is "critical junctures" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "critical junctures" is well-suited for formal writing, especially in academic, professional, and journalistic contexts. It conveys a sense of importance and consequence.

What's the difference between "critical junctures" and "important moments"?

"Critical junctures" often imply a higher degree of consequence and potential for change than simply "important moments". The former suggests a branching point where decisions have significant long-term effects.